Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or attention deficit disorder (ADD) is a condition that affects people’s behavior. The two primary symptoms of ADHD are inattentiveness, and hyperactivity and impulsiveness. ADHD is more likely to be diagnosed in boys than girls, as girls tend to manifest the symptoms differently. ADHD can affect people of any age, and while the symptoms can lessen in adulthood, they can still be present. Some people aren’t even diagnosed until they are older.
Some of the major symptoms include:
Being unable to sit still
Constantly fidgeting
Unable to concentrate on tasks
Excessive physical movement
Excessive talking
Acting without thinking
Interrupting conversations
Difficulty organizing
Unable to listen and carry out instructions
There are others which can be explored on the National Health Service website.
October is National ADHD Awareness Month, so we’re bringing you four books that can help you understand ADHD, whether you think you have it, have been diagnosed, or know someone who struggles with it. These books are all available at your friendly used book store in Israel, Eva's Used Books.
Our first book is Understanding ADHD by Dr. Christopher Green and Dr. Kit Chee. It is a clear and easy-to-understand book about ADHD in children and how their parents can help them. The book explains the causes and treatments for ADHD. This book can also be helpful for teachers who may have children in their classes who have ADHD.
It is important to understand this condition and treat it with empathy. As such, this book talks about how to cope with ADHD and helpful tips about coping with ADHD. Understanding ADHD also talks about ADHD in adults, which can be harder to detect than in children. This book also gives examples and advice about boosting children’s self-esteem, which is important for everyone to learn to cope with a condition.
Perfect for children and adults, Driven to Distraction: Recognizing and Coping with Attention Deficit Disorder from Childhood through Adulthood by Edward M. Hallowell, M.D. and John J. Ratey, M.D. is a study of the various forms that ADHD takes. This book provides guidance for all ages to understand and cope with the symptoms of ADHD and gives a complete understanding of strategies to overcome the symptoms. Complete with many case studies of adults and children, the reader can better understand ADHD and how to cope.
A useful part of this book is that it doesn’t only focus on the negative aspects of ADHD. There are many traits that someone with ADHD can have, such as creativity, high energy, intuitiveness, and enthusiasm.
If you or someone you know has a child diagnosed with ADHD, the book 10 Days to a Less Distracted Child by Jeffrey Bernstein, Ph.D., would be a good way to help that child. Bernstein has written other books on managing children’s behaviors, and 10 Days to a Less Distracted Child is another book designed to help parents; it’s written in a 10-step program style to correct inattentive and out-of-control behaviors. Dr. Bernstein’s program is fresh and effective with the child’s best interests in mind.
This book also gives tips on parents' techniques that can be used when faced with a child’s difficult behavior. Tips like not raising your voice and how to avoid homework problems are part of the techniques shared in this book. By following these steps and tips, parents can help their child avoid distractions for a longer period of time, which can be good for parents who are nervous about using medication.
Edward M. Hallowell, MD, and John J Ratey, MD, are back with another book about ADHD: Answers to Distraction. The book stresses that people who are underachievers caught up in problems at school and work and seem to lack self-discipline are not inherently doing these things on purpose. They are usually diagnosed or express the traits of someone with an inborn neurological condition called ADHD/ADD.
Answers to Distraction is written as a user’s guide in a question-and-answer format for easy reading and comprehension. Each chapter focuses on a specific subject, including women and ADD, aggression, and work and ADD. This book is written for both children and adults and can provide valuable insight into various behaviors and symptoms of ADHD.
The book ADHD Alternatives: A Natural Approach to Treating Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder by Aviva Jill Romm, M.D., contains information about ways to handle ADHD without the use of prescribed medications. Rather than treat the symptoms, this book looks at ADHD from the root causes and provides a holistic approach to treating the disorder. Using a mixture of nutritional supplements, herbs, and parenting techniques, ADHD Alternatives shows how ADHD can be treated. These alternatives help with self-esteen, creativity, self-discipline, and confidence, which is important or anyone diagnosed with ADHD.
In Closing…
While stuck in the symptoms of ADHD, a child or adult can feel hopeless, that nothing will ever change, and they’ll be this way forever. These books prove that there is hope for anyone struggling with ADHD and that there are people who care about your road to ADHD management. Reading these books is a starting point.
If you suspect that you might have ADHD, it’s best to consult your health care provider to receive testing for ADHD. From there, you can get the help you need to manage the symptoms and get on the road to a more productive lifestyle.
Written by Nicole Madigan
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